Flying Training Programmes

The UKMFTS Programme Elements:

2 Training Service Packages are under contract:

• Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT - Hawk T2)
• Rear Crew Training: Stage 1 (Navy Observer)

Remaining Training Service Packages are being developed incrementally:

• Fixed wing Training:
  - Elementary Flying Training
  - Basic Flying Training
  - Multi-Engine Pilot Training
• Rotary Wing Training
• Rear Crew Training Stage 2

Advanced Jet Training

Ascent’s recently completed training facilities at RAF Valley are second to none; providing electronic classrooms, 10 Desktop Trainers, 6 Flight Training Devices and 2 Full Mission Simulators.  The new hangar houses the 28 Hawk T2 aircraft. Instructor training has commenced and the courseware for the basic and advanced courses in well under development.

Rear Crew Stage 1

The first UKMFTS students began training on 20th June 2011

6 Royal Navy Helicopter Observer students began the Common Core Ground School (CCGS) four-week course at Barkston Heath which includes instruction in topics such as Aviation Communication, Meteorology, Navigation Theory, Theory of Flight and Aircraft Systems. This is followed by Initial Flying Training and Elementary Navigation Training. A fifteen-week Basic Flight Training programme follows with 750 NAS at RNAS Culdrose, and includes simulator exercises on a tactical ground trainer and approximately 50 hours of live flying on the maritime variant of the Beech King Air 350ER aircraft, which has been modified with airborne Tactical Mission Training consoles; the aircraft is known as the Avenger.

Rotary and Fixed Wing

The Rotary and Fixed Wing Training Service Packages are being developed incrementally.We have been running a competition for the provision of aircraft for the future packages for over a year and will move into the next phase of the competition in the late Autumn.

The Fixed and Rotary Wing curriculum development teams are working on refining the course designs. In parallel, work is continuing with the suppliers of Ground Based Training Equipment and Infrastructure to ensure both Affordability and Value for Money for the taxpayer.